LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Published 4:00 am, Thursday, December 13, 2007

Waterboarding is a win for terror

Editor - In regards to your editorial of Dec. 11 ("Put an end to waterboarding") you state that Sen. Dianne Feinstein has impeccable timing for introducing legislation to ban waterboarding, the controversial technique that induces a feeling of drowning in order to get information from enemy combatants. I must disagree. Impeccable timing would be to introduce legislation immediately upon discovering the technique being utilized by American officials, not years after the fact.

When we as a country disregard our history, when we initiate actions that we would normally attribute to dictators, when we ignore our values as Americans, then the terrorists win. Terrorism's goal is to change behavior by committing random acts of terror. When we allow torture, and waterboarding is nothing less than torture, then we have truly failed as the greatest country in the world. How I would love to have a leader say, yes, terrorism is wrong, and yes, I will do all I can to protect you from terror, but I am not going to compromise America's ideals and values to do it.

Editor - I disagree with your Dec. 11 editorial, "Put an end to waterboarding," which calls it torture. I see torture as inflicting physical pain, as most people understand the term: Ripping off fingernails, beatings, etc., where the pain persists.

Waterboarding is inflicting discomfort - extreme, yes - but not pain, and it has no lasting effect. In the same category: playing loud rock music (I'd succumb in no time), denying sleep, etc.

A former CIA agent, John Kiriakou, just reported that waterboarding two al Qaeda leaders in 2002 yielded information that let the CIA prevent many terrorist attacks. It's hard to understand how some people seem willing to accept the possibility of such attacks if the price of preventing them is waterboarding.

Lost opportunity

Editor - Montserrat Wassam writes in Letters (Dec. 11) that raising the average auto miles-per-gallon to 35 by 2020 is not worthy of applause. I agree. In 1982, I drove a comfortable and well built Nissan Pulsar and got 45 miles per gallon. When oil prices dropped, cars like the Pulsar were shoved aside. President Reagan could have acted then, but he preferred market-based solutions. See how that has worked out.

A higher calling

Editor - Reading Al Gore's words as he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize (" 'It is time to make peace with the planet,'" Dec. 11), I realized that those of us who have been hoping he would accept the call to run for president have been in error. What he is doing is far more important than the presidency of our backward country; he has become a world leader in a way that the men who control our government are incapable of being. Becoming merely the president of the United States would be a demotion, and he knows it.

Muni math

Editor - On Monday, we learned (Matier & Ross) that the Muni budget has increased by almost $75 million (12 percent) and that 544 people have been hired. Nathaniel Ford, the head of Muni, is proud of the fact that advertising revenues at bus shelters will increase from $400,000 per year to perhaps $15 million dollars per year.

So if I do the math, Muni is spending $75 million to collect $15 million. Spend five dollars, collect one dollar. Seems like the road to a fare increase is the path chosen.

We didn't hear anything about a 12 percent improvement in fare collection, more equipment on the street, better repairs or an improvement in on-time performance. Of course, time is somewhat nebulous to Muni. If every airport clock and every airplane on the ground and in the air can have synchronized time ... oh well.

We see hikers often with no hiking poles, inadequate footwear, no water, no map, and no idea as to where they are, where they are headed, or how to get back to the car. Hiking trails are rough; rocks and roots can trip the most careful. A misplaced foot on the soft trail shoulder can send the hiker down into a ravine and into dense underbrush.

If you must hike alone, stick to Golden Gate Park or along city streets (stay out of Richmond). Hiking alone is simply asking for trouble.

BOB MULLER

Moraga

Tired excuse

Editor - Isn't it time The Chronicle stops supporting the use of a favorite political bromide in its editorials ("Alternatives to a bad-tax policy," Dec 12)? Specifically, today's favorite of the Democratic leadership, which continually complains that none of their legislation can be enacted due to the threat of a Republican filibuster.

Such an excuse is inexcusable; the Democrats should simply let the opposition filibuster, without any recesses. The opposition would eventually cave in (as has happened in the past) and in the meantime, they would have to take the responsibility for shutting down any actions that could be taken regarding passage of other pending legislation.

ROBERT SKUTCH

Mill Valley

Some backbone, please

Editor - Despite the latest National Intelligence Estimate that President Bush's war-mongering about Iran is unfounded, and clear public opinion against continuing the occupation of Iraq, the Democrats are poised to give tens of billions more dollars to fund the war, with no strings attached. When will the Democrats represent America and stand up to the Bush war machine? Is there any opposition left at all?

Giuliani knows how

Editor - So Nathan Ballard, Mayor Gavin Newsom's spokesperson, dismisses former New York City mayor and presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani's success with New York's homeless problem ("Giuliani's advice to S.F. on the homeless," Dec. 11).

Giuliani has an indisputable record of achievements that include solving the homelessness problem, balancing budgets, tax cuts that resulted in increased revenue, cleaning the streets and changing the attitude of his city. Newsom's "achievements" include the homeless still sleeping on the streets and in our parks, streets that are still dirty and a huge budget deficit next year that he hid from the public so he could be re-elected.

Rudy Giuliani knows how to get things done and will make a great president. Rather than disparage Giuliani's record, Newsom should study and imitate Giuliani's accomplishments.

HOWARD EPSTEIN

San Francisco

It's not easy ...

Editor - I think it's reasonable for San Francisco to take a leadership role in lessening the up-front financial impact of installing photovoltaic systems for homeowners in the city ("Subsidy plan would help plug in solar," Dec. 11).

But as a property owner in San Francisco, I would also appreciate it if there were an agency that could actually help navigate the process. I have been trying to plan an installation for when I replace my roof next year, and between the bizarre Smart Energy Analyzer questionnaire that PG&E wants filled out and the number of alleged installers who aren't interested in my business, if it gets done, it will only be by dint of my tenacity and commitment to going "greener."

LAWRENCE ROSENFELD

San Francisco

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